In January of this year, The San Pedro Sun was the first to report on the Grand Belizean Estate Subdivision in the northwestern part of Ambergris Caye. That subdivision, which is a joint venture between the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and Grand Belizean Estate Subdivision, is offering individuals the opportunity to purchase a 60 x 75 piece of paradise and it includes 1,200 house lots. Currently, the only access to Grand Belizean Estate Subdivision is by boat. That, however, will soon change as Grand Belizean Estate Subdivision has commenced work on a road that will not only connect that subdivision but three other subdivisions in that area of Ambergris Caye.

As part of the agreement made with SPTC, the Grand Belizean Estate investors promised to build an access road from the new subdivision to the main road which is just south of the Journey’s End Resort area. This agreement will assure Belizeans wanting to purchase land that they could reach to and from their property. After receiving the necessary mangrove clearance and dredging permits, Grand Belizean Estate Subdivision started work on the new road. Last week however, the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) expressed environmental concerns regarding the new access road.

According to ACCSD, the new road would affect the proper flow and interconnectivity between the wetlands found in that area and the main source of water. The wetlands in that area form part of the island’s many lagoon systems. These areas are heavily used by local fisher folk and tour guides. ACCSD expressed that while investors have the necessary permits to proceed, the investors should provide a detailed plan that would indicate how the road would fit into the ecosystem area.

In an effort to work along with the ACCSD, during a meeting held last week, investors for Grand Belizean Estate agreed to put the road on hold until the necessary studies are conducted. Grand Belizean Estate has acquired the services of Chief Hydraulic Engineer Frank Panton who is leading a series of studies that would determine the best possible option on how the road should proceed. “We do want the area to remain as sustainable as possible and that is why we are doing a topography study of the area,” stated Panton. The topography study will show the undulation of the land; the shape or configuration of the land, represented on a map by contour lines, physical geography including relief shading and also the vegetative and human-made features and even local history of the area.

Panton told The Sun that currently surveyors are collecting and conducting a number of studies in the area. These studies will determine the flow of water in the area, elevation studies and high and low vegetation density areas. In addition, land surveys are also being conducted and these will determine the best possible pathway for the road while taking into consideration the proper tidal fluctuation in the area.

After all the studies are put together Panton says that they will have to see what method will be used taking into consideration the effects to the ecosystem. “The only area of concern relates to the lagoon area,” stated Panton adding that, “we will ensure that the road has as little effect to the eco-system as possible.”

It is not certain when work will continue but when the new road is completed, lot owners will have access to their over 2,000 properties in the Colonia San Diego Area for both Phase 1 and 2, as well as to Ambergris Bay Subdivision. In the planning stage of those government led subdivisions, there was no indication as to how land owners would have access to their properties. The new road will include the construction of bridges and culverts where necessary and all expenses will be footed by Grand Belizean Estate Subdivision.

The ACCSD just sent this:ACCSD Meeting Wed 10th June 5pm at the Sunbreeze.Points Discussed.1. East West Road

* It has stopped and the excavator has been moved. * Dave Mitchell said he had all the permits required and had been told by the Town board to "build a road". He did not have or was not asked to submit any plans for the road. * Minister Heredia, the Mayor and the town board do not agree with the way the road is being constructed and want it stopped

Action:

* After the committees meeting with Dave Mitchell and Frank Panton. Frank is having a topographical survey of the area made and is then going to produce several plans for the road. Plans to be sent to us on Wednesday 17th June

2. Dave Mitchells development near East West Road.

* No plans seen only a one page sales brochure. Mr Mitchell did not bring these plans with him. Subdivision has around 1200 lots. * The Town board only has a 1 year contract with Dave Mitchell for a % of the income from the sale of lots in this subdivision. * Again no environmental studies conducted as the DOE was told it was community project. This reasoning still doesnt justify a project not having to have some sort of environmental study. This is the problem with San Mateo and other community subdivisions which were not planned properly. The Law does not state that community projects do not need environmental studies.

3. Canals and Sugar Caye Development:

* Whats with the name- Sugar caye will not be the name of the subdivision, it is just the name of the development company. * The dredging Permit for canal on Port Authority land is for 58,000 cubic yards of material and should have required an EIA. Minister Heredia and Mayor Paz wrote to Belize Port Authority asking for Dave Mitchell to be allowed to dredge the mile long canal. Dave Mitchel said he was asked by Belize Port Authority to dig the canal and it did not benefit him. For access to his development he could have used the existing canal entrance. * New canals (a copy of the permit has been requested from Geology) has started to be excavated. The new canal is along the Marina road and is for flushing and boat access to the sugar caye development. Copies of permits have been asked for from Frank Panton * Issues are the closeness to the Sewage ponds and the way the laws have been circumvented. The livelihoods of the people of the island are at risk from developments such as these. * Minimum setbacks from the Ponds should be 300m or 750ft this is with the mangroves in place. * Ponds are designed to remove all the bacteria. The nitrates and phosphates are filtered by the Mangroves. Originally sized for 66,000 people. Are they being used correctly? It can be seen from the size and color of the mangroves next to the ponds that a lot of nitrates etc are coming out of the Ponds feeding these plants. * Discussion about DOE allowing these projects without environmental studies. Nothing has been found in the laws that refers to community projects not needing any environmental studies. DOE using wording within Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to allow these projects to go ahead without studies.

Actions: * Frank Panton to get the EIAs for the area when the Sewer system was proposed.

Way forward:

* We are asking for all developments to have the proper study conducted. DOE and the Town board should not be circumventing the laws but upholding them.

Let me get this straight they are going to build a "road" and connect it to the disaster that runs South form Journey's End? That entire area is virtually impassable a lot of the time. I also don't understand how this could be happening as the Town Council is being very strict with the issuance of new vehicle permits - at least they are where I am concerned, and they are going to build how many new homes? This is beyond my understanding folks. Maybe one day when I have consumed enough rum and killed enough brain cells I will understand.

Imagine whats going to happen to the sewage and the water table,but it will 'empower' the people according to our area representative. He used the same word when he endorsed the San Mateo project.San Mateo is now full of Empowered people living in their own sewage that need financial rescuing.

Does anybody know the where abouts of the "several subdivisions" mentioned. I have property in this area and am wondering where these "Lots" will be. Will these lots be available to anyone or just belizeans. Is this a government subsidized subdivision? What is the story?

West of Journeys End. Ambergis Bay is the far West side of the island, the others I am unsure about exact location and perhaps one of the realtors will explqain in detail. One subdivision was being sold almost directly on the West side of the road in the Journeys End/Captain Morgans area but I don't know it's name and it was used to raise funds for the Street Cobble project. My memory is a bit hazy on this so someone more knowledgeable please feel free to enlighten if I've erred.